The Village Harvest in 2019 showed expansion . People served grew from by 8% from 1,289 to 1,397. This is in contrast to 2018 where there was a 32% drop after the decision was made not to call people ahead of the harvest
Food available, however, grew less than clients at 3% from 14,931 to 15,305 pounds. Much of the decline has occurred in the last 2 months. December’s total was 766 pounds, the lowest of 2019 but above December, 2018 which had 692 pounds available.
Since food grew slower than people, food available per person declined from 11.6 to 11.0 pounds from 2018 to 2019. This level is substantially above the earlier years in the Harvest – 6 pounds in 2015 to to just under 9 pounds in 2017.
During Dec we had substantially more produce 44% of the total, the highest percentage since April at 48% of the total. December also featured wrapped gifts for clients.
The value per shopper was also down in 2019 from $69.5 to $65.7, calculated at $6 per pound. However, this is substantially higher than the earlier years of the harvest – $36.2 in 2015, $52.6 in 2016, $53.5 in 2017. Beginning in 2018, there was more value from $53.5 in 2017 to $69.5 the following year.
The Village Harvest turned 5 years old in 2019. Over that period the church has served 7,086 people 66,327 pounds. This calculates to 9.36 pounds per person at a value of $56.2 over the period.